In the document the council condemned the "widespread, systematic and gross violations" of human rights in Syria as well as crimes committed by pro-government Shabiha militia and the "indiscriminate targeting" of civilians by the Syrian authorities.

It also noted the "alarming" humanitarian and human rights consequences of the failure to implement peace envoy Kofi Annan's six-point plan, calling for all sides to abide by the plan and demanding that the Syrian authorities allow human rights monitors to access detention facilities.

The body voted on but rejected a proposed amendment by Russia which asked that the council condemn "all acts of terrorism in Syria."

The council set up an investigative panel to probe rights violations in Syria last year.

The group has held several special sessions on the crisis and passed a number of resolutions, most recently one calling for an investigation by its Commission of Inquiry on Syria into May's Houla massacre in which at least 108 people were killed.

In an update to the 20th session of the council last week the panel said it found many of the deaths were at the hands of pro-government forces.

Monitors estimate that more than 16,500 people have died since the crackdown on the revolt against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad began in March last year.